USGS unveils bold climate science plan

• USGS commits to characterizing climate change and its impacts.
• Agency will assess climate risks and develop mitigation approaches.
• Plan emphasizes providing crucial climate science tools and support.

September 12, 2024 — The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released an ambitious Climate Science Plan outlining its commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges of climate change. This plan underscores the USGS’s recognition of climate as a “primary driver of environmental change” and its dedication to integrating climate considerations into all aspects of its scientific endeavors.

A Three-Pronged Approach.

The USGS Climate Science Plan establishes three core priorities:

1. Characterize Climate Change and Associated Impacts: The USGS will conduct extensive research and monitoring to define, quantify, and predict how climate change affects both natural and human systems.

2. Assess Climate Change Risks and Develop Mitigation Approaches: The agency will translate climate change impacts into risk assessments and develop strategies for mitigation and adaptation. This includes creating early warning systems and decision-support tools.

3. Provide Climate Science Tools and Support: The USGS is committed to providing data, information, and training to support climate science efforts across the federal government and beyond. They will also work closely with Tribal partners, supporting Tribal-led science initiatives.

Key Goals for a Climate-Resilient Future.

The plan outlines 12 specific goals to achieve these priorities, some of which include:

• Conducting long-term, multidisciplinary research to understand climate impacts.
• Leading efforts to standardize greenhouse gas emissions measurement and reporting.
• Partnering with Tribal communities and the broader climate science community.
• Developing improved data synthesis and risk assessment methods.
• Investigating mitigation strategies and creating decision-support tools.
• Providing access to USGS data and information through innovative approaches.
• Building capacity within the USGS and the Department of the Interior through training.

Guiding Principles and Future Opportunities.

The USGS Climate Science Plan also includes guidelines for conducting climate-based research and highlights emerging opportunities in the field. The plan will serve as a roadmap for future research priorities, science-support investments, and workforce development.  The plan states, “The USGS Climate Science Plan provided in this circular will guide future research priorities and science-support investments, as well as continued development of the climate workforce for decades to come, ensuring that the USGS continues to serve as one of the Nation’s leading climate science agencies.”

Link to Report; Citation.

U.S. Geological Survey climate science plan—Future research directions

Authors: Tamara Wilson; Ryan P. Boyles; Nicole DeCrappeo; Judith Z. Drexler; Kevin D. Kroeger; Rachel A. Loehman; John M. Pearce; Mark P. Waldrop; Peter D. Warwick; Anne M. Wein; Sara L. Zeigler; and T. Douglas BeardJr.

DOI 10.3133/cir1526

Image of Lake Powell from the report.

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